Head of the Ludovisi Hermes

myminifactory

Roman replica after a Greek statue of about 440 BC stands before us. Hermes, son of Zeus and the nymph Maia, is its subject. He serves as messenger and herald of the gods, escorting guests to Olympia, guiding heroes on their adventures, and delivering the gods' messages to mortals. Consequently, he also watches over travellers - as well as robbers and swindlers, since ancient times grouped them together. Above all, Hermes is the leader of souls, directing human beings from life to death. In this role, he is known in Greek as the "psychopompos." This head of Hermes is exceptionally beautiful. Although a Roman copy, it demonstrates the formal imagination and psychological attitude of the classical age with eloquence. The messenger god wears his hat; thus, he portrays himself as a traveller. Small, intricately designed curls frame his face. His gaze is downward, his mouth only slightly open. The god's expression is masterfully sculpted; it clearly shows preoccupation and mourning. The body is familiar to us from other copies of the same classical statue. In his left hand, the naked Hermes holds his herald's staff, which could put others to sleep, while his right hand reaches for his temple. Ancient written sources describe a statue of Hermes erected by an Athenian at a state grave. If we identify our Hermes with this statue, then the beautiful face before us belongs to a god who leads those killed in a devastating military operation to the underworld with great pain and dignity. This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, which aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for public access. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.